Well honey, and please believe I'm saying this with ALL respect, but....I think you're making a big mistake here!
I appreciate the fact that you were put in a difficult position, and that they wouldn't give you a good reason why. I also appreciate the fact that you have tried to handle the situation well.
But we have to pick our battles with families, and (my opinion only, obviously) showing your new family right off the bat that being with your DOG for Christmas is more important to you than being with THEM for Christmas (this is how they'll see it)---that's not a good foot to get off on. Especially since it's not just you staying home, but your FIANCE'. I know you feel like they are using the dog as leverage between you, but think about it from the other side...that is exactly what they are going to feel like YOU are doing, too.
I hope you're able to resolve this with them...power struggles can so quickly escalate out of control, and get really ugly!
Maybe instead of going the "sis can bring her dog; why can't we?!" route, it would be better to just approach it as, "Ooooh, we're sooooo sad, we can't go because we can't find boarding for the dog!" It might be too late for that, but oh honey....keeping a son from a mother on Christmas (and over a dog!) is a shaky way to start off a marriage, especially if they weren't really "sold" on you to begin with!
Please believe I'm wishing you nothing but the best, but YIPES, I can just hear the talk that's going to be going on about you, and I just can't see this headed anyplace good for you and your future with this family! |